1mediumcrisp red applesuch as Braeburn, Cortland or Gala, chopped (1¼ cups)
1mediumpearchopped (1¼ cups)
4mediumgreen onionschopped (¼ cup)
¼cupchopped pecans
¼cupdried cranberries
DRESSING
⅓cupmayonnaise or salad dressing
3tablespoonsorange marmalade
½teaspoondried marjoram leaves
¼teaspoonsalt
Instructies
Cook and drain pasta as directed on package.
Rinse with cold water; drain.
In large glass or plastic bowl, mix pasta, apple, pear, onions, pecans and cranberries.
In small bowl, mix dressing ingredients; stir into pasta mixture.
Cover; refrigerate at least 30 minutes until chilled.
Notes / Tips / Wine Advice:
Make-Ahead Magic
You can prep parts of this recipe up to 24 hours in advance if you like. Cook and drain the pasta as directed, and toss with a teaspoon or two of vegetable oil; cover and refrigerate. Mix the dressing ingredients; cover and refrigerate until you are ready to put the salad together.
Festive Touch
Consider the “pastabilities”! Instead of small shells, use fun holiday pasta shapes such as trees, stars, bells or ornaments.
60fresh strawberries with tops attachedfrom 2 to 3 (1-lb) containers
3ozvanilla-flavored candy coatingalmond bark
1teaspoonwhite sugar crystals
Instructies
Rinse strawberries; pat dry with paper towels, making sure they are dried well so coating adheres.
In small microwavable bowl, melt candy coating as directed on package.
To assemble tree, use 10 strawberries as base, dipping 1 side of each berry in candy coating, then arranging in circle, tops down and sides touching, on large round plate.
Fill center of circle with 4 strawberries, with 1 side of each berry dipped in coating.
Stack remaining dipped strawberries on top of one another, in decreasing circles, with 1 berry on top.
Drizzle tree with remaining coating; immediately sprinkle with sugar.
Notes / Tips / Wine Advice:
Make-Ahead Magic If the berries for the Christmas tree, left, you use are really fresh and the green hulls are perky green, you can make the tree up to 3 days in advance. Store uncovered in the refrigerator until the coating has hardened. Then loosely cover the tree with plastic wrap.Festive Touch This tree also makes a festive centerpiece. Look for strawberries of uniform shape and size to get the best-looking tree.
1bag20 oz refrigerated shredded hash brown potatoes
1package1 oz taco seasoning mix
1lbbulk turkey or pork breakfast sausage
1mediumonionchopped (½ cup)
12eggs
2cupsshredded Cheddar cheese8 oz
¼cupmilk
½teaspoonsalt
¼teaspoonpepper
1½cupschunky-style salsa
Instructies
Heat oven to 350°F.
Spray 13×9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish or 3-quart casserole with cooking spray.
In large bowl, toss potatoes and 1 tablespoon of the taco seasoning mix until evenly coated.
Pat in baking dish.
Spray 10-inch skillet with cooking spray.
Add the sausage and onion; cook over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sausage is no longer pink.
Drain.
In same large bowl, beat eggs, cheese, milk, salt, pepper and remaining taco seasoning mix with whisk until well blended.
Stir in sausage mixture and salsa.
Carefully pour over potatoes in baking dish.
Bake uncovered about 40 minutes or until eggs are set in center.
Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
Notes / Tips / Wine Advice:
Make-Ahead Magic
You can assemble the Mexican Breakfast Casserole, right, as directed the night before; cover and refrigerate. In the morning, simply uncover and pop it in the oven. You may need to add an extra 5 to 10 minutes to the bake time.
1jar6 oz marinated artichoke hearts, well drained, coarsely chopped
⅓cuppitted kalamata oliveshalved
¼cupsun-dried tomatoes in oildrained, chopped
10eggs
2cupsmilk
½teaspooncrushed red pepper flakes
½teaspoonsalt
½teaspoonpepper
Instructies
Heat oven to 350°F.
Spray 13×9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
In 8-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium heat.
Cook onion, bell pepper and garlic in oil 3 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until slightly softened.
Add spinach; cook about 1 minute or until it begins to wilt.
In baking dish, layer half of the baguette pieces, 1 cup of the feta cheese, ¼ cup of the Parmesan cheese, the bell pepper mixture, artichokes, olives and sun-dried tomatoes.
Top with remaining baguette pieces and remaining ½ cup feta cheese.
In large bowl, beat eggs and milk with whisk; beat in pepper flakes, salt and pepper.
Pour over bread mixture, pressing down slightly.
Sprinkle with remaining ¼ cup Parmesan cheese.
Bake uncovered 40 to 45 minutes or until golden brown and center is just set.
Let stand 15 minutes before serving.
Notes / Tips / Wine Advice:
Make-Ahead Magic
You can assemble this casserole as directed the night before; cover and refrigerate. In the morning, simply uncover and pop it in the oven. You may need to add an extra 5 to 10 minutes to the bake time.
Kitchen Secrets
Arugula or baby kale would also work as a substitute for spinach in this recipe.
Spray 13×9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish or 3-quart casserole with cooking spray.
In baking dish, layer 3 cups of the bagel pieces, ½ cup of the shredded cheese, ½ cup of the onions, the tomatoes, Canadian bacon, ¾ cup of the bacon and the remaining 3 cups bagel pieces.
Top with cream cheese.
In large bowl, beat eggs and milk with whisk; beat in salt and pepper.
Pour over bagel mixture, pressing down slightly.
Sprinkle with remaining ½ cup shredded cheese.
Bake uncovered 45 minutes.
Top with remaining ¼ cup bacon.
Bake about 10 minutes longer or until golden brown and center is just set.
Let stand 15 minutes.
Top with remaining ¼ cup onions before serving.
Notes / Tips / Wine Advice:
Make-Ahead Magic
You can assemble this casserole as directed the night before or up to 24 hours in advance. Cover and refrigerate. In the morning, simply uncover and pop it in the oven. You may need to add an extra 5 to 10 minutes to the bake time.
Make-Ahead Magic
Cook the bacon ahead of time, and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to assemble this flavorful egg dish.